This is an example of a country l-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

East Bay Modern Rustic

Patti Ogden Design

Large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, limestone splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop and vaulted.

Evanston 1897

Third Coast Interiors

Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Mayfair Neighborhood Tudor Kitchen Update

Gather and Spruce Design Remodel

Updated Tudor kitchen in Denver's Mayfair neighborhood boasts brushed brass fixtures, dark cabinets, original wood flooring, walnut butcher block, and quartz countertops.

Modern Scandinavian Kitchen

Jarrell Signature Inc

Bethany Jarrell Photography White Oak, Flat Panel Cabinetry Galaxy Black Granite Epitome Quartz White Subway Tile Custom Cabinets
Photo of a large scandinavian eat-in kitchen in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Historic Short Hills Hartshorn Home Transformation for Young Family

Michael Robert Construction

photography: raquel langworthy
Beach style l-shaped kitchen in New York with white cabinets, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black benchtop and beaded inset cabinets.

Contemporary Kitchen

This is an example of a small contemporary galley kitchen in Oxfordshire with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, brown splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Window Treatments

K LINN Interiors

This is an example of a large transitional kitchen in Grand Rapids with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and black benchtop.

Mace

Salmon Falls Partners

Kitchen
Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Portland Maine with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and black benchtop.

Traditional White & Black Kitchen - Waynesburg 2018

Davis Kitchen & Tile

daltile rittenhouse square, daltile arctic white, bell jar glass pendant lights, honed absolute black granite, custom white cabinets, herringbone tile, mouser centra white painted maple cabinetry, amity door style, rohl shaws farm sink

New Kitchen 2

Equinox Builders

Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Kitchen Inspiration

Milestone Builders

A luxury kitchen with modern utilities. Spacious kitchen with oak island. Large skylight windows, sliding doors, open shelving, wooden floors.
This is an example of a large contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, dark hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

Pewter cup handles

Kettle Co. Kitchens

This is an example of a large traditional u-shaped kitchen in Cornwall with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, granite splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

Huntington Woods Farmhouse Modern

Julia Robin Interiors

The solid wood cabinets were in great condition, so we had them professionally repainted a beautiful blue gray. New marble hexagon backsplash tile and black lighting give it a timeless, sophisticated look.

Huntington Woods Farmhouse Modern

Julia Robin Interiors

The matte black pendant is on-trend, and ties in the original black granite. A fun black-and-white patterned rug cozies it up!
Mid-sized country l-shaped separate kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

The Ramble Gray Cabico Unique Cabinetry

Kitchens of the South

Cabico Unique Cabinetry Gray Full Overlay Cabinetry
Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped kitchen in Charlotte with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Il Nostro Sogno | Minneapolis Custom Home

Streeter Custom Builder

Dark kitchen cabinetry and natural stone countertops and backsplash with eat-in kitchen island surrounded by upholstered counter stools.
Design ideas for a mediterranean l-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and black benchtop.

This is the culture you're raising your kids in

Eadesign Room LLC

This is an example of a contemporary galley kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, black splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

150 WEST 12TH STREET (GREENWICH LANE RESIDENCES)

Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes

This is an example of a transitional galley kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Old Enfield Classic

Ashby Collective

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in Austin with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop and an undermount sink.

Kitchen with Dark Hardwood Floors and Black Benchtop Design Ideas

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your kitchen design. Where do you even start? Gathering some inspiration in a photo gallery is always a good starting point, as looking at different kitchen designs often brings up ideas you haven’t even thought of yet.

Browse Photos of Kitchen Designs for Inspiration and Collect Your Ideas

You can browse through photos of all kinds of kitchen styles, layouts and sizes on Houzz to get started before jumping into any design software or contacting a local professional for help. Here’s a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your kitchen.

1. What Makes a Good Kitchen Design, and Why is it Important?

For starters, you want to find a balance between aesthetics and function. You may have heard of the ‘kitchen work triangle’, which refers to the space between your fridge, sink and stove. You want everything within easy reach when you’re working in the kitchen and look beautiful at the same time. It’s a good idea to take note of both when browsing our photo gallery.

2. Consider Your Space to Determine Your Kitchen Layout

Firstly, consider the space you have, and the limitations that come with it. Do you have a small kitchen and need to maximise your workspace and storage? Can you allow yourself some more space and a big island with seating? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating an existing design? Which appliances do you already own and what are their measurements? Are there windows you need to take into consideration when planning cabinets? How do kitchen, living and dining areas connect? Depending on your space and needs, you want to use a shape that suits you. U, G, or L-shaped kitchen, with or without island or peninsula? Know your dimensions, plan cabinetry carefully and consider the placement of your appliances. You don’t want to end up with a finished design, only for your significant other to question where the fridge is supposed to go. Consider from the start where your fridge, oven, microwave and sink goes to save yourself from starting again from scratch - remember the kitchen work triangle! You also want to plan the layout of your cabinets. Maybe you’re planning for a pantry and can do with less storage space in your kitchen, so that your design can be one without upper or lower cabinets for a different look. A corner cabinet can be a smart storage solution if you want to keep the look clean and simple.

3. Decide on a Kitchen Style, But Don’t Forget Practicality

You want the style of your kitchen to reflect your personality and taste. We have curated a large array of kitchen styles here at Houzz, from traditional to contemporary to transitional and everything in between. Consider what your cooking style is for a start - Italy is known for its cuisine, so italian kitchen designs are generally popular. Also consider ergonomics - depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen, the height of your counters can make a big difference to your overall health. You also want to consider colour and finishes of cabinets, countertops and splashbacks. Which colour do you want your cupboards to be? Simple, timeless white or rather making a statement in black? Maybe rather a rustic wood? Also consider the colour of your floor - if you have dark floors, you may want to keep cabinets lighter. You could also go for an all-white look and choose black appliances for contrast. Once you know which style you fancy, don’t forget how you will be using the space. You want to keep cooking in mind, as well as how easy to clean and maintain the space will be. How many cooks do you need to accommodate? Do you have kids around? How much storage do you need? Maybe you want to go for open shelves rather than cabinets and allow for easy reach of key items you use when cooking. Again - remember the triangle! Lastly, choose lighting that both enhances the look of your kitchen as well as your cooking performance, providing light in all the right places.

4. Be Conscious of Your Budget

No matter what you plan for your kitchen design, cost is always a big factor. Be sure to plan with your budget in mind. It may make more sense to go for a modular kitchen design rather than custom build. You can save a lot of money if you get at least 3 estimates from professionals before locking in the job. And don’t forget to allow a 20% buffer for emergencies. Once you are ready to hire a pro, our directory will help you find one, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for an Interior Designer in Melbourne or an Architect in Sydney, you can be sure to find a qualified expert for the job!